Field crops: Bean planting has begun with warming soil temperatures. Fertilizer is being applied to the soil and furrows are being made to prepare for irrigation.

Deciduous tree fruits, nuts and grapes: Early varieties of stone fruit are being harvested at increasing rates. Thinning continues in some stone fruit groves. Some freeze damage to plums and nectarines during bloom has greatly reduced harvest for some growers. Exports are going mainly to Brazil, British Columbia, Mexico and Taiwan, with lesser amounts going to Guatemala, Russia, Switzerland and the U.K. Apricot harvesting and exports are slowing. Cherries are being harvested, with exports going to Russia, Canada, China, Mexico and the Philippines. Domestic demand and prices for stone fruit remain strong compared to the export market. Grapevines are setting foliage, and flower clusters and leaves are being thinned and fungicides applied. Walnuts are being sprayed for codling moth and herbicides applied to berms. Irrigation has begun in many groves and vineyards. Pistachios are still being exported to Israel, the Netherlands and Germany.

Citrus, avocados and olives: Navel and Valencia oranges and lemons continue to be picked, packed and exported. The navel harvest is almost complete. Valencia quality remains good. Orange exports are going to China, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, Malaysia, Russia, UAE, Philippines and Singapore. Citrus bloom is complete, and netting over seedless tangerines is being removed. Spraying has begun for thrips, mites and scale. Lemons are being exported to Japan and the Bahamas. The tangelo and tangerine harvests are completed. Many farm laborers are moving from citrus to stone fruit, making it difficult to secure enough workers to supply the citrus market. Olives are in heavy bloom, indicating a larger-than-normal harvest for the coming year.

Vegetables, melons and berries: The growth of vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants, etc., is progressing well. Harvesting of squash and other vegetables continues and planting is almost complete. The strawberry harvest continues, with sales ongoing at roadside stands. Cherries are also being sold at roadside stands, with few going to export because of the small crop. Blueberries are being picked, packed and exported to the U.K., Canada, Russia, Japan and Taiwan.